Up & Over

Just for the Record

2011-09-29T03:36:00.003+09:00

8.30 marks reality.

my heart can't seem to sing anymore.

4.21.2011 Small Victories

2011-04-22T00:44:00.000+09:00

Thank you God for showing me that your Will will be done regardless of my state of being. Thank you that you are faithful, even when I am not. Thank you that you take my uncertainty and reveal yourself to be rock solid and unwavering in your love for me and your body of Christ. You have much in store for me and I have many battles waiting to devour me. Please continue to fight my battles for me, for I am not strong enough nor am I willing. Continue your works within me, even when I resist. Continue to stretch me, challenge me, and grow me and make your work complete within me. Today's small victory has shifted my future and I pray that you continue to take my life pen and write my story for me.

Into your hands I commit my life.

Forward vs Backwards

2010-12-19T03:01:00.000+09:00

Maybe it's the Season in which I would long for familial love, but the timing to revert back to a less happier me couldn't be worse.

Maybe it has something to do with the demo I just made? Being reminded of the selfish being that I can be, especially when the product in the making is really "all about me". Disregarding those who helped and becoming so obsessive and consumed with perfection and assuming people would "just know".

Note to self: Learn to appreciate those around you and don't let your ambitions inhibit your relations with those around you. Even if they aren't in the same country.

As I Lay Awake..... Thinking

2010-10-27T08:03:00.001+09:00

I'm rethinking about what exactly I'm doing here. I've come to the realization of many things.

1) I don't think I need to be famous.
2) I don't think I need to be "the right age" before I "debut"
3) I don't think I have to stay in korea
4) I think finishing school would be very good for me even though I'll be in debt for a very long time.
5) I think I've emphasized the wrong things for too long.
6) I think I should develop my musicianship/artiste-ness.
7) I think I should concentrate on more important things - like my faith.
8) I think doing so will allow for a natural "falling into place" effect.
9) I think I should just work hard on the now regardless of what I choose to do.
10) I think it would be nice to be able to live in two places at once.
11) I think I forgot how to sing during my "break" from singing.
12) I think (I hope) I sound so bad because I'm sick and haven't sung for 2 months.
13) I think I should stop thinking so much and go to sleep....

Now that the sun has risen......
I think I'll do that.

Stationary

2010-08-28T03:04:00.000+09:00

Lately, I can't tell the difference between patiently waiting and being stationary. I'd like to believe I'm in forward motion, but I also live in a "when this happens then I'll...." world. Of course I'm reasonable in this and don't wait for impossible things to happen.

But, it would make more sense to do other things while the thing I'm waiting for is happening. Because everything is always happening regardless of me being stationary or not.

Food for thought.... my thought.

The Test of Patience

2010-08-04T05:24:00.000+09:00

From the moment I stepped into Korea, I have been tested with patience. Finding my place, my identity is an ongoing battle and frankly, it's a little disappointing. Thankfully, I came at a time that friends could come to visit, not me, but Korea, and I've gotten to be rejuvenated time and time again (or at least runaway) from the struggles of everyday life.

As my English skills fade, as I adapt to this pop culture, as I practice with futility (in my opinion), I still manage to trod ahead, but as I step further, deeper the challenges become harder. I progress, but I feel less and less ready and equipped. If I slow down, I may miss an opportunity, if I speed up, I'll get demolished. If I go at this steady rate, I'll maybe have a chance, but it's pretty tiring. Not because of the overload of work or things to do, but because of this ''Patience Game'' I so luckily get to play, quite possibly for the rest of my life. But that is weariness speaking in my place.

It's time for everyone, who came to visit, to go back to their respective places in their home society. I regret not having spent this time to build relationships with those who are staying here longer than a span of 2-3 months. But thankful nonetheless for having been able to have times of rest with the familiar.

Luckily, I do better "alone". Having a couple to a few people I rely on a little too much by my side would and has proven to result in a lack of motivation and forward motion. This blog has become more of a personal outlet and "record-tracking" but I think I like it that way. I can look back at this when the reason I've left the "straightforward path" unfolds - smile, then be thankful for the journey overcome.

Time is the enemy only when it is spent investing in the wrong things.

*note to self* This is when your segment on 악녀일기7 aired. Also when you had the revelation of misplaced pride. Practice hard, even when you're discouraged. Keep moving forward. God always provides, he has, is, and always will.

Pollution

2010-07-02T19:15:00.001+09:00

I don't think I've ever been so disgusted with the envorionment. maybe it's the heat. maybe it's the smell. maybe it's just pollution in general. I don't think God created this beautiful Earth so we could mindlessly trash and destroy it.

I really, really want to run away to a countryside village and relax for a week or two. This pollution and stench combined with the heat is just a little bit vomit-inducing. Maybe I'm complaining, but I'd rather not smell a smell every 2 seconds while I'm walking down the street. Whether it be the the gas from exhaust pipes, smoke from a cigarette, trash rotting outside, or just the smell of the city (which i think is just a vague combination of the previous 3).

Are our souls just as polluted as these earth-killing cities we've created?? or are we even MORE polluted. Please Clease Us. How disgusting we must be in Your eyes.

...yet You still Love.

Humility vs Reality

2010-05-29T00:57:00.000+09:00

God recently softened my heart and showed me who I am as a person through his eyes.

It was extremely humbling and kind of depressing. I had never been so disappointed in myself.

However, it's mind boggling how quickly that heart hardens.

We hate vulnerability and change.

Another however, I did get a much needed wake up call through recent events and through said humbling of my heart.

It's this never ending cycle of raising the bar. I meet it, then I raise the bar again I claim to have take steps back....

but I'm not. I'm moving forward, I just think I'm moving backwards. Becoming more aware of yourself as a person, as an imperfect and flawed being is never a step back. Sure ignorance is bliss, but awareness and humility, acknowledgment of the reality is really what makes you grow. Right? Right.

I just pray that I am forever aware, never pleased with myself, and always realizing more and more His heart. We know so little about Him and more often times than not, we're fine with that.

Great Expectations

2010-05-03T03:28:00.000+09:00

He is in the works. Expect Great Things. not of me, but from Him.

Tendencies

2010-04-14T02:13:00.000+09:00

I tend to over think.
I tend to be anxious over things that haven't even happened yet.
I tend to worry.
I tend to make plans late in the night then wake up and forget.
I tend to only keep up with a good lifestyle plan for a span of 1-2months.

I'm watching BigBang's documentary(haha laugh, but it's actually inspirational to see how hard they worked) for encouragement. Instead of waiting for things to happen, I'm beginning to feel like I have to MAKE things happen. I have bigger dreams than this company. I don't think they are willing to invest in me just yet. I'm beginning to feel like I'm not really "worth" much in this business just yet. A long process of pruning, training, enduring, persevering, bloodsweat&tears still waiting to be had. Let's try and stop wasting time and make a rigorous daily practice and training plan. from dusk till dawn. Even if it is just for 1-2 months, when we get there, let's try to sustain it just a little longer then maybe a little more. Then, maybe until at least something happens. Life isn't handed to you, Andrew. You've gotta work for it. Practice even when you don't want to, even when you REALLLLLY don't want to. like today. 정신차리자!!!!!

I'll update this when get things moving. I'm even considering deactivating fb until I get into the company I really want to. which could take years! ha, but let's take baby steps bigger steps and get there in a matter of months!! dream big and shoot for the moon so you can land amongst the stars! literally... See you on the other side!

or at least until I'm bored again. :)

Presentation

2010-04-07T15:28:00.005+09:00

Hi, my name's Andrew and I'm a new trainee at IMC entertainment. It's a pretty small company this girl and I are the first non-Classical artists to enter, but I think this is a great opportunity in the right direction. Please expect great things in the near or distant future. I will work hard. Share the love.

http://www.vivavoce.co.kr/ <----------These are my 선배s

fun stuff.

One Step Closer

2010-03-20T01:35:00.002+09:00

Amidst what seems to be endless pain

Be near, my Healer.

If only we understood just a little more

Wouldn't our struggles seem so small?

Amidst the endless tears of sorrow

Stay close, my Comfort.

If only we could see just a little further

Wouldn't it all make more sense?

Amidst the chaos of this world

Embrace us, my Father.

If only we could take one step closer

Wouldn't this be a better place?

Always near, never far

Waiting with untiring, open arms

Weary, I turn my back to you

Blinded, I step away from you

Confused, I sit still waiting.

Teach me, Oh Lord

Open my eyes so that I may take that step

Closer to you

New Mindset

2010-03-18T22:01:00.002+09:00

New blog design, new mountain, new mindset.

My journey seems to have been stalled by the unfortunate events involving my face.. but it's going to be under control in a matter of time. All the while, I will be preparing for everything. Downtime is only downtime if it's spent unwisely. The beginning is slow, but I plan on getting back up and moving forward at an exponential rate! Slow start, but it'll all start rolling into play soon enough.

Patience is really a virtue that can test one's character - when you think you're done "waiting" or being patient, things get worse and test your patience even further. Well, at least that's how I feel. Falling so early in the game sucks, but it only builds you more quickly for what's to come. I will conquer this stage.. I just pray the it ends soon.

Health is truly a blessing. I sometimes wonder how people can torment and abuse their bodies when it's such a blessing just to be able to walk around, jump, hear, see, taste, and feel freely. Take care of your bodies, it enables you but can also disable you.

My new blog design is very symbolic, I think. The collage is of the people I miss. Try to find your face. If it's not there, then I don't miss you. :)

...

Hungry

2010-03-12T00:27:00.001+09:00

I find myself updating this thing more than I would like to, but lately, I have nothing else to do. It is friday as of 10 minutes ago, which means I have my vocal lesson later at 2pm then my audition the next day at 4 pm. I'm still fruit fasting and I almost gave up today, but I shall persevere until saturday morning.

I'm not even sure what role this audition is going to play, but I've decided it's better to give it my all and find it unnecessary than vice versa.

I went to another korean revival (dragged along by my aunt and uncle) wednesday night. To my surprise, I had quite the attitude when I got there. Once the sermon started, it all ended there. The speaker's topic was the importance of the sabbath and the outcomes of both keeping it and not. Skipping a Sunday turns into another then another and another. If this was high school, I would've just passed that part over since I've rarely missed a Sunday, but after experiencing college, his words pierced my heart. In Boston, I probably spent more Sundays sleeping in so I wouldn't be tired for work than I did going to church.

Since when did I turn into that Christian? I think about it and I think I never was the christian I thought I was. It came to my realization through a conversation that if someone else can't see your faith, maybe your faith isn't very strong at all. I sure like to claim myself as a Christian verbally, but seldom do I live in fear of God nor do I offer God my best - maybe my second best.

I've grown conscience and I can feel Satan working and trying to revert my mindset backwards - it seems to be working because I don't feel as conscience as I was yesterday. Just these little revelations are starting to reveal to me my stance in this world.

I've once heard that you should never feel so proud as to think that God needs you (me) to do his work -He can use someone else. I guess my next step is to fear that He'll move on and use someone else for what he originally had in store for me. It's more frightening as I think about, but thank God that I'm realizing all this now than later.

I've always feared that if I enter the world of entertainment, I'd fall too deeply into it and forget my real purpose.

I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm hungry and restless. I guess what I'm getting at is I'm so hungry for these worldly things, God please teach me to hunger more after you. I've been too wrapped up in myself to realize the good you've done around me - open my eyes and change me from within. I'm tired of putting on the facade of a Christian, I want to truly be one at heart. If my yearning isn't sincere, I pray that you make it so.

Walking in Circles

2010-03-08T01:22:00.002+09:00

Everyday is supposed to be a step closer, but I feel like I'm walking in circles. Once I take a step or two forward, I seem to be moving two or 3 steps back....

When will this vicious cycle end? I'm supposed to persevere through some difficult things, but I don't think this is part of the struggle: this just prevents me from even getting to the struggle.

... Andrew, stop pitying yourself.
things will turn up, they always do.. sometimes.

[edit]

Fruit fasting - Audition this Saturday. Found out about it on Monday. I think this is a private audition... WHAT?! Why does this guy(connections through mom) give me such little details. I'm thankful, but a heads up at least 2 weeks in advanced would've been nice. SO, I'm fruit fasting. I'm craving things I haven't craved in awhile, face is improving, but by Saturday? (crosses fingers) The things I do for my skin...

Anyway, I feel like this is the start, the start of a messy beginning. Although being thrown into it is better than waiting for things to happen.

This is the same guy that made me perform my first audition song in front of my mom: I was so nervous, I could barely stand still. In the end, it was good for me since it was the beginning of my getting over stage fright. Let's hope for the best. The worst that can happen? I don't make the cut, but it usually gives me insight on what I need to improve for the next time around.

ps. I also met this guy who used to work in the music field. Manager and older brother of a famous singer in the previous generation. I'm having such random meetings without even knowing about it until the day of. He was pretty discouraging. He was just giving advice, but his vibe.. anyway, just wanted to document that. (You met him on 2010.03.07) Through connections from Grandma! hahahaha I just find that amusing, everyone's being so helpful, I just hope one of these acts of love will pull me through.

2.22.2010

2010-02-24T11:19:00.002+09:00

it happened.

[edit]
I'm so tired of this...

D-Day

2010-02-19T01:20:00.000+09:00

Time to leave, time to fly
not a time to grieve,
nor a time to say goodbye.

but a time to reflect
a time to think
..... yea nvm

I wanted to write a cool entry, but it's not working. BYE.

Coming and Going

2010-02-15T17:02:00.001+09:00

For the past 2 years, I've been coming back and forth between Marietta and Boston. Now, I'm leaving for Korea with a one-way ticket, not knowing when the next time I'll be back. These past 2 months have been very long and unproductive to say the least, but as I come down to "my last sunday" and start bidding my farewells to those I won't see again, It really hit me. I'm leaving. There is no summer break and winter break because my leaving the country has nothing to do with school. I'm sure I'll be home soon enough, but the possibility that I won't be home soon enough is haunting me. What if the next time I see my family is in 2 years? 3? 4? I can barely handle the 4-5 months I spent apart from them while I went to Berklee, but now everything is less certain.

I mentioned the phrase "When I leave on Thursday" while explaining the week plan to my brother and I caught a hint of tears in his eyes (he tends to cry at the airport every time I leave). His tears seem to always set me up for reality - I'm gonna miss seeing him grow up. I'm usually excited to go, knowing this is the path I must take to move forward in my life, but leaving behind the ones I argue, laugh, fight, embrace, and live with never seems to get any easier...

God has blessed me with many things, but the one thing that I have truly grown to appreciate and love is my family. We are lacking financially, we each have many flaws, sometimes we can't stand each other, sometimes we disrespect each other, sometimes we take each other for granted, but I am most thankful for my family in my life. We were once broken, but we've mended. We still have scars, but those scars are slowly recovering.

Step by step we grow closer and stronger. Step by step we become a family. So whether I'm coming or going,

I take comfort in knowing that either is another step closer

to those I love most.

Jersey #10: Who are you playing for?

2010-02-08T05:28:00.002+09:00

I went to my brother's basketball game. They won. The spirit of the game isn't very competitive since it's just the community YMCA team. I really just go to give support to my brother's love of sports, but today opponent team player Jersey #10 caught my eye.

Usually the most eye-catching players on the court are the most skilled and talented, but this little guy was by far, the worst. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't judging him. Ok, maybe I was, but I'm telling you - He was bad. However, his lack of athleticism isn't what caught my eye. He was the shortest on the court but it seemed like he didn't know the rules of the game.

Technically, I don't know all the rules either, but he literally just ran to where the players were crowding - not towards the ball, towards the players. Also, he would constantly glance back at the bleachers, looking for his parents, mainly his dad. He would wait for eye contact and smile with a thumbs up. He soon figured out that it was easier to see his dad if he ran along the sideline closest to the bleachers. Not knowing if he was even winning or losing, he would just run towards the players who were giving their all into getting that ball into the hoop. The ref had to constantly tell him where to go.

At first, I felt sorry for him thinking, "poor kid, doesn't even like basketball, but he's forced to play."

Then I saw another player on the same team. We can call him Jersey #5. He was actually pretty good at the game, what he seemed to lack was the willingness to be there. He made the shots, gave his all, but not a bit of enjoyment was in his eyes. He kept looking back at the bleachers at (not for) his mom who was constantly coaching him during the game. She never really complimented him, but rather gave him instructions to "use the backboard" or "step back" or "get your hands up" and my favorite "that's why you're missing those shots". She was actually a good coach as her every instruction did improve his game.

I then compared the two: 2 different kids playing 1 game, different parents, different motivation, and different mindsets. I first felt sorry for the first kid who was completely oblivious of the rules of the game, but then I realized I pitied #5 more. He was actually pretty good at the game, enough to probably enjoy it, if he didn't have his mother breathing down his back during the entire game.

#10 looked more pitiful, but he just wanted approval from his father. He did his best at what he thought would make his dad happy. His dad is probably a sports fan and wanted his son to be somewhat athletic. He was horrible at the game and didn't touch the ball once, but the frequent eye contact with his dad, that smile, with his thumb up waiting for it to be reciprocated got me thinking - thinking about the game of life we all play. Players for God vs. Players of the World. However, there is controversy amongst the players for God.

who are we playing for and who's approval are we seeking. Are we playing because if we don't we will be punished? or are we playing to please. And if we are playing to please, who is it that we are trying to please? Doing because what pleases our loved ones pleases us. Or doing in the fear of not being loved?

Do we serve as a result of our love for Him or in fear of hell?

Who are you playing for?

Countdown Begins

2010-01-31T06:47:00.001+09:00

With my airline ticket to Korea in my bedside drawer, things seem to be coming together for my departure. The reality of it still hasn't hit me in full. The ticket is one-way. I don't intend to return for a year or two at the least. Who knows, maybe I'll come and visit within a couple of months, maybe I'll change my mind and come running back home. Who knows, who knows.

It's always best to leave before you start to hate the place or before everything becomes mundane. With my 2 month stay at home coming to an end in less than 3 weeks, it seems like I'll just barely escape that. things are starting to get routine - as routine laziness can get, but trip home always seems to do that. Right when I just started to like Boston, I left. I sometimes wonder if I started to like it because I was leaving. Having those "last" dinners with friends, saying my "last" goodbyes, it was all bittersweet, but I can't help but feel that seeing all the friends that I've made all at once right before I left "made" my leave.

As I end my ramble, I'm sad to leave as I see the church I grew most attached to grow without me, the friends I've grown most close with become more distant, but this all happens as we each take our own journey, our own road in life. Counting down the days until we are all reunited once again.

There are no hellos without goodbyes, there is no arrival without departure. As I bid my farewells and take my leave, I will anticipate the future reunions and embrace those hellos.

aw, so sentimental.

Distance

2010-01-13T16:30:00.006+09:00

physical separation feeds the comforts of isolation.
self-concern diminishes the importance of others.
silence hushes unspoken hostility.
distance negates discomfort and tensions between relations.

my emotional getaway.
am i just running away?

Expectations Too High / Silence

2009-12-29T13:22:00.001+09:00

Ever since I was little, I was picky with my friends. I would pick and choose who I would "dub" my friend. As if I considered myself worthy to choose my friends, I just always, subconsciously, liked the idea of having the cream of the crop. Someone once told me and a couple of my buds "you guys have a nice entourage." I secretly took immense pride in that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not superficial, I just don't throw the term "friend" around as loosely as most do. I still don't like the idea that facebook and myspace count how many people you friend. And most people who have 1000+ friends, don't talk to about 900 of them. I, too, have many "friends" I don't even contact, but this is just a thought.

A few weeks ago, after talking about several things with a close friend, I started to analyze myself. First time I've done so on a deeper level, but it turned out to be very humbling and necessary. I realized my faults and found what I believed were the roots to my imperfections being.

I seem to be living in my own little world when it comes to relationships. I'm actually having an epiphany about myself as I write this. (this is why I like writing and conversing - they organize my otherwise unorganized thoughts) Christmas Eve I hung out with a couple of my closest friends from high school and we were just talking and with me, talking almost always turns into sarcasm. This time, topic was me and girls. I'm pretty picky about who I like too (this blog isn't going to be very good for my image). However, to justify, my picky-ness results in long term liking/loyalty. I tend to crush on the same person for quite some time. Anyway, the end result was my analyzing and organizing why I like, then don't like, and end up not pursuing: I date in my head. This makes me sound crazy like someone who thinks they're dating someone, but they're really not, but let's get this clear - I'm sane. This "dating in my head" breaks down like this: I see a girl, I like the girl, I hangout with the girl, I get to know the girl, I find out stuff I don't like about the girl, I get over it and still like the girl, then I find out why we're not compatible or realize she's not for me or worth crushing on, then I stop liking the girl.

Also, I tend to put too much expectation on people. I expect a certain amount of loyalty, kindness, and expression of love and support, but most come short to my expectations. Few can, which is something I should fix.

I do something similar in all my relationships. My family is a very typical Korean family in this case: we fail to express ourselves completely, especially when the emotions become embarrassing or uncomfortable. My parents are divorced, and have been separated since I was very young. I don't have much memory of my father, so luckily, I don't miss him. I have the option to communicate with him, but i choose not too. My parents' separation took a big toll on my mom and ultimately affected us, but we learned to cope, fill the void, and forget the past - all without words. I still don't know the whole story, my little brother knows none of the story, and we treat the subject as a forbidden topic. When I went to New York for my auditions, I stayed with my mom's friend (who knows my dad) and my mom told her not to bring up the topic of my dad to me. I only found this out because I nonchalantly brought up the topic of my dad to make it seem like it doesn't affect me anymore. Naturally, my mom's friend was relieved and said "I knew your mother was being over protective."

We did this when we found out about my mom's pre-cancer. We were devastated and in ruins, but we never talked about it. Only when we found out she was fully cured, we expressed our joy. I don't think silence is the best way to handle hurt.

In conclusion: this was somewhat of a random post, but it was refreshing. I want to challenge you readers to do something similar. Just analyze yourself. Figure out your quirks and your flaws and what might have caused them. It'll give a better sense of self and gear you towards a better you. If not, it's still nice to know :).

And it has Begun...

2009-12-01T15:10:00.000+09:00

2 down, many more to go, hopefully not that many.

I had two auditions in New York these past two weekends:

First one, I was overly confident, pompous, and thought I was superior - blew up in my face in the form of tears. Seriously? no one saw, because it was dark on the bus ride home, but seriously? It was expected since I got no form of response, interest, or a hint of being impressed, whatsoever: I felt so weak in that moment.

Second one, I was nervous and was only hoping for some kind of response - and I got it. A little conversing between the judges as I sang. Not much, but it does my dignity some good.

I have decided to end the chapter in my life with Boston as the setting. I may return, I may not, but the decision for the time being is Seoul. I have learned so much about myself during my 1.5 years here and consider it a transitioning point. It took awhile, but I learned while I was here, so it's definitely not any time wasted.

Now let's wait for those rejection emails - I can never seem to move on until I get closure. I told a few people that I was 99% sure I didn't get in this time around, and I'm clinging onto that 1%. I'm not being pessimistic, I just know, but wow, how good would it feel to be wrong?

Since I know where I stand in the grand scheme of things, the adjustments to my plan should be more reliable and realistic - if not, I'll just have to adjust again, but hopefully nothing drastic like, another country (since that one's already gonna happen).

And the agonizing wait begins...

The Beginning - Preparation

2009-11-05T05:10:00.008+09:00

It's about time I started one of these. The purpose was to scrapbook my creative juices that flow once in awhile, but that's changed. I've decided to journal, at least for myself, the journey I'm about to embark on. As many may know, I'm a vocalist, and I've been very dedicated to tuning my instrument for quite a long time. It's been a challenge, but lovely at the same time. My passion for music has developed through my singing; and I'm excited for what's in store. I've overcome my first "musical mountain" by coming to Berklee College of Music and getting my mother's approval in pursuing music. but right now, in this moment, almost one and a half years after coming this far, I can see that this is only the beginning.

A couple of Sundays ago, I listened to a sermon on "David and Goliath" a classic favorite to the everyday Christian; naturally, I wasn't expecting much, thinking, "this again? what more could I possibly learn from this old story. Stupid, stupid boy. I failed to realize why this story is a favorite: it tells so much. Not only is it a story of our faithful God, but a revealing of how God prepares us for what's to come. He never, ever sends us to climb a mountain without preparing us beforehand. --David was, as a shepherd, prepared to slay Goliath. He had stricken down lions and bears in order to save the stolen lamb. Aside from the many metaphorical symbols of God's love and faithfulness, this story shows that He prepares - us.

In just a few weeks I'll have my first real audition. I'll never be as prepared as I want to be, but it's time I began this audition process before I get any older. haha. From practice to working out to even eating right (practically vegetarian), I've already stumbled several times. It's a challenging road I've chosen, and have just now only learned of how truly complex and demanding excellence in anything is. This journey will be long and difficult, but I have no regrets. Let's get out there and show `em what we've got! One mountain after another, up and over, shall we start?